Gospel Reflection–Fr Rob Galea—God Reveals Himself (This is the story of Jesus, the story of the incarnation that Jesus became one of us. He speaks our language; he knows who we are. If you don't know where God is, look at Jesus, get to know Jesus, spend time at the crib today. Go find your crib, find a crib. Find the baby Jesus and sit down, contemplate, and tell him this: Jesus, I want to know you, I want to know the purpose of my life. I want to know what it means to have a relationship with a God who came into this world just for me so that I may live this life to the full.)

Incarnate Series–Ken Bryant—Observing the Law of the Lord (Nestled amongst the Church’s liturgical readings for this Octave of Christmas is the event of the presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple by his parents. Whilst celebrating this Christmas season is a most appropriate response to the wonderous birth of Jesus, we are being asked to remember that it is not an event in isolation. Rather, is the commencement of the mystery of a life that is the embodiment of God incarnate in our world. The ritual itself is a portent of the life of Jesus yet to unfold—a life of prayer, of service to others, and ultimately of the sacrifice of his very life on the cross.)

Advent Series–Sr Anastasia Reeves OP—The Lord is with You (read by Sr Monica Barlow RSJ) (We all experience fear, albeit in very different ways, which can sometimes be paralysing. We may fear ordinary but genuinely difficult things such as long-term illness, unemployment, and so on. We sometimes fear things that, in the light of truth and growing maturity, are unfounded—such as a childhood fear of the dark. However, Pope Benedict suggests that the solution is a healthy fear of God: not a terrified submission to a whimsical or vengeful deity, but a trusting respect for God who is love, holds everything in existence and invites us into an eternal destiny of freedom and peace.)

Advent Series–Sr Magdalen Mather OSB—Zechariah, Listen (read by Max Norden) (In the readings for 19 December, an angel appears who upends life for Samson’s mother and Zechariah the father of John the Baptist, with the unlikely news for them. Consider your life and how your expectations have been upended—especially in these last years of pandemic. We might have expected to stay healthy, to stay employed, to retire, to own our home, to travel, and any one, or all, of these may not have eventuated. How do you keep silence enough to hear the voice of God saying to you, in the circumstances of your life, “Do not be afraid! Listen deeply to my presence and action within you and see what wonders will be born!”)

God in the Everyday—Fr Mike Delaney—Great Expectations (Fr Mike has been on his annual Est Coast of Tasmania winery tour with some of his mates. In one of his small group discussions before leaving on this tour, the group was discussing expectations. It caused Fr Mike to reflect on his expectations for the winery tour versus the actual outcomes of each day and had to admit that he doesn’t always acknowledge what his expectations might be and so can sometimes wander through life without making time to stop and reflect outcomes rather than just rushing off to the next thing to do. What expectations do you have for today? How will they impact what is happening in your life?)

Gospel Reflection–Fr Christopher Sarkis—Deep and Abiding Faith (Fr Chris says this gospel emphasises two things: the deep and abiding faith of Mary and Joseph, and the child born of her would save his people from their sins. As Advent comes to an end, let us think about these two things. Mary’s “yes” in faith and trust made it possible for Jesus to be born in human flesh and for us to be forgiven, saved, and redeemed. St Joseph’s “yes” to another angel enables the incarnate Word to be the Son of the carpenter and spending the rest of his life as faithful spouse, loving foster father, and protective provider of this holy family. Like St Joseph, we too are called to say “yes” to God’s will in our lives.)

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–I Don’t want A God Like That (Mother Hilda has been watching another Fr Brown mystery. The mystery includes the story of a young woman, Ruth, who’s very disabled baby dies shortly after birth. Ruth expresses her anger with God to Fr Brown, who offers advice that brings comfort to the distressed woman. Mother Hilda says Father Brown's advice is sound. No matter what has happened, you need only open your heart and invite God in. Tell him that you'll want him to take up residence in the deepest part of your grief, or loss, or whatever it is. Then let him bring you the comfort you so sorely need. It isn't hard, and it doesn't take any fancy words or formula. Just do it.)

On The Journey This Week: Fr Chris Sarkis’ Gospel reflection – we too are called to say “yes” to God’s will in our lives. Mother Hilda on letting God take up residence in your grief or loss. Plus, extra Advent reflections from Sr Magdalen Mather and Sr Anastasia Reeves, and Fr Mike Delaney on the expectations we have for each day and how they impact what is happening in our life

Advent Series–Br Lewis Harwood FSC--A Genealogy of Jesus Christ (read by Max Norden) (Increasingly, more people are taking time to research and discover their ancestry and cultural heritage. An important part of any community or culture is the affirmation of identity and forming connections with past and present memories. In the Gospel reading for Saturday 17 December, St Matthew provides a comprehensive list of names which date back to the “father of faith”: Abraham. St Matthew links Jesus back to his Jewish roots and demonstrating an ancestry structure that fulfills Old Testament prophecies.)

Gospel Reflection–Fr Chima Ofor—Happy those who trust in me (The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday, and in many churches the penitential purple of the season is put aside in favour of a happier rose. Most of today's readings encourage hopefulness, and joy, yet joy is not evident behind the bars that holds the courageous Baptizer. John understood that joy is what happens when we dare to believe that an aspect of our spiritual growth is being stripped of the expectations that we cling to so that we can know God for who God truly is. We have not hoped in vain as Jesus promises “happy is the person who puts his faith in me”.)